Tina James, director of commercial and technology services at the Greater Southwest Development Corporation located in Chicago Lawn, says that public safety, the overall city budget, public schools and housing are issues the community are most concerned with. James believes that voter turnout will be higher this time around not only because “the weather will be nicer,” but also because there are “more opportunities to register more voters” and more interest in voting since there are now only two choices in the mayoral race.

How Ward Typically Votes: Lona Lane has been alderman of the 18th Ward since 2006. She is the first African-American and the first woman to hold the position, In 2007, Lake won 67 percent of the vote, defeating Paul Stewart in a runoff. In 2011, she won 50.6 percent of the vote, defeating Chuks Onyezia (16 percent) and three other challengers.